Printing-plate matrix



PRINTING PLATE MATRIX Filed March 9, 1951 From Face of Mnfr/x Mair/Zita PluraYii of Layer! 0f Resi fen! Maien'al v WM M f fwscblre' Erich j/gsblj Patented May 26, 1936 2,04Lt4i PRINTING-PLATE MA'rm'x Walter Matuschke, Berlin-Hermsdorf, and Erich Bliising, Berlin, Germany Application March 9, 1931, Serial No. 521,330 In Germany March 10, 1930 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to matrices on matrix plates for stereotypic work and the like. The upper stratum of a composite matrix oi the above mentioned kind must be of high'plas-l ticity and present a fully smooth surface in order that sharp and exact impressions may be obtained. The matrix must further be so touglr and durable'that it can be used repeatedly for. casting the impression without being damaged ble and elastic in order to give exact impressions in which every minute detail is accurately reproduced. The matrix must also be of such na- 15 ture, that the impressions made in the same remain unaltered for a relatively long time without being damaged through external influences.

Printing plate matrices usually consist of specially prepared cardboard or several layers of 20 paper. Before the casting process can take place such matrices must be subjected to various treatments, whereby much time is lost. In order that clear and clean prints may be obtained and smearing may be avoided the blanks of the im- 25 pressed matrix, 1. e. the portions without impression of the type should also be sufficiently deep in the cast plate. In the impressed matrix these blank spaces elevations, which each must be filled up on the rear side of the matrix plate, so that 30 they will not collapse during the casting process.

In order to obtain blanks of sufficient depth,

when a matrix is made, intermediate layers of felt, paper, rubber and the like are usually arranged between the matrix and the ram of the press. These relatively thick intermediate layers are compressed by the press, and therefore elevations or nonprinting faces of sufilcient height are produced in the matrix. In order to prevent deformation of the blank spaces during the casting process such spaces are as already mentioned usually filled up on the rear side of the matrix with cardboard or the like, which is a rather tedious and expensive work. Several attempts have been made to avoid this cumbersome procedure, but none of these attempts have hitherto gained any practical value. It has for instance been proposed to subject the matrix materials including the glue to special treatments and to make thicker plates. It has also been proposed to in- 50 crease the resistance of the matrix by coating the same with compositions which become more or less hard or by interposing special layers and the like, in order to avoid the necessity of filling up the depressions on the rear side of the matrix W and lengthening the life of the same. None of and without the clearness of the impression being. affected. Paper matrices must further be flexi-.

these processes have however hitherto brought any practical advantages.

The failure of the above named processes is. mainly due to the fact, that the thick intermediate layer of felt or the like has been used. Professionals have hitherto been of the opinion, that a compressible intermediate layer was necessary, in order to obtain sufliciently deep blank spaces. Hereby the fact has been overlooked that when suchcompressible intermediate layers are used the matrices will get an uneven rear surface. This disadvantage is however not only present in thick matrices. Also thin matrices will getan uneven rear surface, when intermediate layers are employed in the press.

All matrices produced after the methods hitherto known will on their rear side show deep depressions which must be filled up in order to obtain a smooth surface.

According to the present invention the above named disadvantages and drawbacks are overcome in a simple and emcient manner, whereby intermediate layers of felt. paper. rubber and the; like between the matrix and the ram of the press are dispensed with. It is of course not possible to reduce the thickness of the matrix in the press and to produce a matrix which also after the press treatment has a smooth surface when the matrix rests on'a compressible intermediate layer and therefore is allowed to give way when it receives the impression. According to the invention therefore such properties are imparted to the sheet or blank from which the matrix is made, that a matrix is obtained which has sufficiently deep blank spaces, a smooth rear face and a permissible thickness. This result is obtained without the use of any intermediate layers of felt or the like.

Two methods of producing matrices according to the invention will now be described. It has been found, that matrix blanks of usual trade quality in an exceedingly simple manner may be utilized for the purpose of the invention by applying to the rear side of the blank a material which behaves in the manner of usual blotting paper. This material may for instance be applied to the blank by means of a suitable glue or adhesive. If at first a single and thereupon a second or several layers of blotting paper are evenly attached to the rear side of a blank, the matrix prepared from this blank will present a smooth rear surface after the treatment in the printing press. The troublesome work of filling the depressions on the back side is therefore dispensed with. The adhesive used should preli w erably be of a kind which does not give ofl much moisture. The impression obtained is extremely sharp and the fine details are reproduced with greater exactness than on a matrix without blotting paper which is printed under employment of a felt layer. It appears that the blotting paper, since no felt layer or the like is used, on account of its compressibility is compressed in the places in which the blanks are formed, without the smooth rear surface of the blotting paper being aflfected or deformed thereby. This effect is due to the absence of the yielding intermediate layer. Matrix plates prepared after the above named method will present a smooth rear side also after the treatment in the press. The plasticity will remain unaltered for an unlimited time, so that exact impressions always will be obtained. Each matrix plate may be used for casting a great number of printing plates of equally good quality without the matrix being damaged thereby.

The novel matrix plates are very durable. When a matrix plate of this kind has been impressed the same may immediately be used for casting purposes, since no finishing or after treatment is needed. As no after treatment is necessary much time is saved when working with the novel matrices. Matrices according to the invention may be used for all purposes and are especially valuable for the producing of blocks and the like. When producing blocks by mans of the novel matrices it is not necessary to grind oil or polish the same and the relief is better than in the case of blocks produced and polished after known methods. A loosening of attached strips and irregular heights are avoided. The surface of the rear side will always remain level.

Instead of blotting paper other materials behaving in the same manner may be used as a coating, for instance certain kinds of cardboard, fabric and the like.

According to the second method of producing matrices according to the invention the matrix blanks are made thicker than usual and the backing layer may in this case be of higher compressibility. Since the matrix according to the present invention is placed directly between the forms and the press ram it will be compressed sufliciently without blank spaces being formed on the rear side of the same.

The matrix blanks may be delivered in completely finished state with different backings from any dealer in articles for printing purposes. It is also possible to produce large or small matrix plates or blanks in the form of plates or rolls and to leave it to the printing offices to cut up the materials into pieces of suitable size. The

blanks may of course also be delivered from the dealer in standard sizes.

When the layer of blotting paper or the like is attached to the rear of a matrix blank an adhesive should be used which does not give up much moisture. The application of the backings to the blank may of course also be left to the consumers.

We claim:

A composite matrix plate for stereotype work, consisting of a sheet of matrix material receiving an impression, said sheet being of such consistency and thickness as to be irregularly shaped substantially in accordance with the general outline of the impressions received and as independently to preserve such impressions and shape, and of a backing member attached to said sheet and of such compressibility and thickness that the face thereof attached to the said sheet is moulded in conformity with said irregularly shaped sheet while the rear of said backing member remains flat.

WALTER IXIA'I'USCHKE. ERICH BLASING. 

